in check

The little man held himself in check with great effort.

But all we could do by then was to try to keep the fire in check until they got here.

I had to keep him in check all the time.

Only pressure from the rest of us has kept her in check.

Military research and development would have been held in check.

When a king is in check, and cannot get out of it.

Even so, she kept her weight in check until four years ago.

Most of the time, I could hold it in check.

But he'd keep himself in check if it killed him.

If not kept in check, it can take over your life.